Music you've never heard….'til now! A blog of rare, hardly-heard or remembered pop, hip-hop, R&B, freestyle and dance music from the 80s and 90s. From one-hit wonders to no-hit wonders, this blog has it all!!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Ex-Girlfriend were an R&B group from New York that consisted of members Tisha Hunter, Monica Boyd, Julia Robinson, and Stacy Francis.

They were the first group signed to Full Force's lable, Forceful Records (which was distributed by Reprise Records\WEA).

They were introduced to Full Force by Yvette Shure of Black Beat Magazine.

Tisha, Monica, and Julia were members of R&B group, Petite, who scored a minor R&B hit in 1986 with the song, "So Fine."

After taking a break, the girls reformed in 1989 and after they added Stacy to the group, they named themselves "Ex-Girlfriend."

In 1991, Ex-Girlfriend released their debut album, "X Marks the Spot" which peaked at #37 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

Their first single and biggest hit, "Why Can't You Come Home" peaked at #78 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks.

The follow-up single, "You (You're the One For Me)" peaked at #35 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

In 1992, they were featured on the "Zebrahead" movie soundtrack with the track, "Colorless Love." It's unknown how or if the single ever charted.

In 1994, Ex-Girlfriend released their sophomore album, "It's a Woman Thang" which didn't reach the same success as their previous album.

The only single released from the album, "X in Your Sex" failed to chart.

The group was featured on various albums with artists such as Samantha Fox, Jasmine Guy, Cheryl "Pepsii" Riley, and Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam.

After that, it seemed that the group had faded into obscurity. In 2008, Ex-Girlfriend reunited and was rumored to have started recording their next album in 2009, but as of 2012, nothing much has been heard about the album or the group.

Stacy Francis moved on to acting and even appeared in the Broadway musical, "Footloose."

In 2011, she was a participant on the FOX Network reality series, "The X-Factor," but was eliminated in the live show 4 of the final showdown.

It is unknown what the other members of the group are up to now since there hasn't been word about whether or not they're recording their third album.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Special Generation were an R&B group from St. Petersburg, Florida that consisted of Kendrick "K-Dub" Washington, Charles "OG" Salter, Fernando "Chip" Carter, Marquet "Quet" Robinson and Maurice "Mo Money" Dowdell.

They were created by MC Hammer and the guys were backup singers for him on several of his songs before becoming major recording artists.

In 1990, the group released their debut album, "Take it To the Floor" which peaked at #17 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single, "Love Me Just For Me" peaked at #91 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #8 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 21 weeks, becoming their highest chart appearance to date.

The follow-up single, "Spark of Love" peaked at #26 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks.

The last single, a cover version of the Stylistics' hit song, "You Are Everything" peaked at #90 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 4 weeks.

In 1992, Special Generation released their sophomore album, "Butterflies" which peaked at #81 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The only single to chart was "Lift Your Head (And Smile)" peaked at #13 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

After that, it seemed as if Special Generation had faded into obscurity.

In 2009, it was announced that the group was working on new music, but nothing much has been heard about it since.

During that same year, Kendrick Washington became the founder & C.E.O. of K-WASH Management & Consulting Services. He started WASH Media Group, LLC in February 2010.

Since 2002, Maquet Robinson has been a music producer at Whateverworks Studio. Charles Salter has a solo music career under the name "Max'C."

It is unknown what Chip Carter and Maurice Dowdell are up to these days.

Anquette (born Anquette Allen) was a female rapper from Miami, Florida who was backed up by Keia Red and Ray Ray (or the "Throw the P" girls) during the late 80s.

She made her debut with the answer version of 2 Live Crew's "Throw the D" called "Throw The P" in 1986.In 1988, Anquette released her debut album, "Respect" which peaked at #41 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

Her album featured a version of Aretha Franklin's "Respect" and a rap song dedicated to Janet Reno which got great acclaims.

Anquette's only hit single to date was "I Will Always Be There For You," which peaked at #76 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.

She released two other singles, "Ghetto Style" and "Shake It (Do the 61st)" which appear didn't chart at all.

By the 90s, Anquette had seemed to fade into obscurity, but came back in 1997 with an answer song to B-Rock and the Biz's "MyBabyDaddy" called "My Baby Mama."

After that, nothing much has been heard from Anquette or the "Throw the P" girls. They have seemed to fade into obscurity once again. According to a comment on YouTube, Anquette is now a gospel singer.

Monday, January 19, 2009

TKA is a freestyle music group from the 80's and 90's. The original line-up consisted of Tony Ortiz, Louis "Kayel" Sharpe, and Alejandro "Aby" Cruz.

Due to tension between Kayel and Aby, Aby was later replaced by Angel "Love" Vasquez.

The acronym of the group's name represents their initials, but in early interviews, the group said the acronym stood for "Total Knowledge in Action" as well.

TKA was first discovered singing at a Sweet 16 party in 1984 at an East Harlem church. Record producer Joey Gardner was at the party.

After being impressed with the group, Joey helped TKA sign to Tommy Boy Records.

In 1986, TKA released their first single, "One Way Love" which peaked at #75 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July of 1986, #8 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in May of 1986, #39 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and #56 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in May of 1986, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.

Their second single, "Come Get My Love" peaked at #8 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in February of 1987 and #39 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

In October of 1987, TKA released their debut album, "Scars of Love" which peaked at #135 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The title song managed to peak at #25 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in October of 1987 and #26 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

The fourth single from the album, "Tears May Fall" peaked at #10 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #6 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in March of 1988, and #63 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in March of 1988, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.

The fifth single from the album, "X-Ray Vision" peaked at #26 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in July of 1988 and #30 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

The last single from the album, "Don't Be Afraid" peaked at #22 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in January of 1989 and #47 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

In 1989, TKA released the single, "You Are the One" which peaked at #91 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June of 1989, #26 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in July of 1989, and #20 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

The song was featured on the "Lean On Me" movie soundtrack.

In August of 1990, TKA released their second album, "Louder Than Love" which didn't appear to make the Billboard 200 chart.

The second single from the album, "I Won't Give Up On You" which peaked at #65 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #15 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in September of 1990, and #24 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

The third single from the album, "Crash (Have Some Fun)" peaked at #80 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December of 1990, #7 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in January of 1991, and #10 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

The title song was released as the last single and peaked at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October of 1991.

Due to Warner Bros. Records pressuring TKA to sing only pop songs and not knowing what to do with the group, they split up in late 1991, but they continued to perform until October of 1992.

In 1992, TKA's greatest hits album was released and managed to peak at #131 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart.

The only single to chart from the album was "Maria" which peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June of 1992 and #16 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

Despite the split, the members of TKA managed to keep themselves busy.

Kayel recorded under the name "K7" and scored a hit song with "Come Baby Come."

Tony formed his own successful production company in New York. Angel was a member of R&B group, Goodfellas.

In 2001, TKA reunited and released their third album, "Forever." The album failed to make the charts and some time after that, Kayel was replaced by Aby. George Lamond was also a short-lived member of the group.

These days, the current lineup of TKA consists of Tony, Aby, and Angel.

Kayel still performs and tours in nightclubs across the United States and worked as a DJ for New York City's radio station, WKTU.

In March of 2009, he released his second album, "The King's Agenda" which is available on iTunes.

Kiara was an R&B duo from Detroit, Michigan that consisted of lead singer\bassist Gregory Charley & guitarist\drummer\keyboardist\backing vocalist John Winston. The duo's name is Swahili for "change."

In 1988, Kiara released their debut album, "To Change And\Or Make a Difference" on which peaked at #23 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart.

In 1985, the trio's first single, "Quiet Guy" peaked at #88 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks, but a new version of the song peaked at #79 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in 1989, staying on the chart for 6 weeks.

The second single, "The Best of Me" peaked at #6 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks.

The third single, "This Time" featuring R&B singer Shanice Wilson, peaked at #78 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 22 weeks, becoming their biggest hit. In the U.K., the song peaked at #93 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The last single from the album, "Every Little Time" peaked at #10 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks. The song also peaked at #95 on the U.K. Singles chart.

In 1990, Kiara released their sophomore album, "Civilized Rogue" which peaked at #53 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "You're Right About That" peaked at #10 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Perfect Gentlemen were an R&B group from Boston, Massachusetts. They were formed by Maurice Starr (who discovered New Edition and New Kids on the Block) in 1988.

The original lineup consisted of Corey Blakely, Tyrone Sutton, and Maurice Starr Jr. (Maurice Starr's son). They toured the United States with New Kids on the Block.

In 1990, Perfect Gentlemen released their debut album, "Rated P.G." which peaked at #72 on the Billboard 200 chart and #39 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The trio's first single and biggest hit to date, "Ooh La La (I Can't Get Over You)" peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #12 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

The follow-up single, "One More Chance" peaked at #33 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

After Perfect Gentlemen's debut album was released, Tyrone Sutton left the group and Miles Wheeler & Stephen Starr (Maurice's brother) joined the group, making it a quartet.

In 1993, Perfect Gentlemen released their self-titled album which didn't appear to make the charts at all.

The only singles released: "Don't Forget to Call" and "I Need You" failed to make any impact on the charts and after that, the group faded into obscurity

These days, the guys have kept themselves busy. Corey joined the U.S. military. Miles goes under the name "Masspike" and has released 5 mixtapes.

Maurice and Stephen have started the band, The Muzik Makerz. Tyrone started his own clothing line called Breakfast Club.